Theater: "2 Sugars" actresses chat about coffee

Carolyn Pool and Shanan Custer klatch it up in the musical comedy "2 Sugars, Room for Cream."

Twin Cities actresses Shanan Custer and Carolyn Pool have revived their 2009 Fringe Festival musical comedy "2 Sugars, Room for Cream," which is playing through Nov. 11 at the New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The show celebrates the fact that: "No matter how bad things get, there's always coffee. Sometimes, there's even wine. And when there's both, well, that's a good day."

Since Custer, a Brave New Workshop veteran, and Pool, an Ivey Award winner, have been brewing their two-woman show for years, we thought we'd stir things up in the Eat section and ask the two for a little coffee talk.

When did you start drinking coffee?

Carolyn: I was 4 years old.

Shanan: Oh, my God, really?

Carolyn: No.

Shanan: I was 33 years old. Right after my daughter was born.

Carolyn: I was in junior high. I started because I wanted to be a poet, and I thought drinking coffee would be cool. And that is a true story.

Shanan: I started because I didn't want to crash my car.

What is the most coffee you've ever consumed at one stretch?

Carolyn: My first visit to Peet's Coffee in Seattle. I ordered 20 ounces of Major Dickason's Blend, and it was the best coffee I've ever had. I ordered two more, so 60 ounces of coffee.

Shanan: Wow.

Carolyn: Yeah, Seattle didn't know what hit it that day.

Shanan: I once made three pots of coffee in a day. Writing deadline, and I was wrapping Christmas presents.

Advertisement

Is there a time of day you have to quit with the coffee or you'll be up all night?

Carolyn: No!

Shanan: By 3 p.m. or forget it.

Carolyn: So then you have to switch to wine.

Shanan: I like you, Carolyn.

Carolyn: I like you, too.

Do you ever do decaf? Does it make you a little bit ashamed?

Shanan: No! Decaf mystifies me. What?!

Carolyn: I don't believe in decaf.

Shanan: Yeah, what?!

Is it always "two sugars, room for cream," or do you ever drink it black?

Carolyn: Cream, no sugar for me.

Shanan: I'll drink it black, but it usually means something horrible is happening. Or it's the free coffee at the place where I get my oil changed.

How do you make coffee at home?

Carolyn: French press, all the way.

Shanan: In a coffee pot. I'm not as fancy as Carolyn. Although, I do have a French press. I use it when Carolyn comes over.

Have you ever used a paper towel or napkin or some other improv material when you run out of filters?

Shanan: Funny! That's a scene in the show.

Carolyn: So we can't tell you. But, yes.

Shanan: Yes.

Carolyn: You'll just have to come and see the show!

Shanan: See what we did there?

Have you ever been desperate enough to reuse coffee grounds from the day before?

Carolyn: No!

Shanan: Do people do this? Is this a thing?

Do you reheat cold coffee or toss it out?

Shanan: OK, I've reheated my coffee. You don't know me.

Carolyn: I never have leftover coffee.

Do you approve of coffee in other food substances, such as ice cream?

Shanan: Oh, God, yes.

Carolyn: Yes!

What's the youngest you will let your children start drinking coffee?

Shanan: 37.

Carolyn: What children? Oh, my God, I forgot to have children. And I'm single. I need a cup of coffee.

What: "2 Sugars, Room for Cream"

When: Through Nov. 11

Where: New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Suite 145

Tickets: $25, available through Ticketmaster or the New Century box office, 612-455-9501